(a) There is established a herring research and management account within the Fish and Game Preservation Fund. The funds in the account shall be expended for the purpose of supporting, in consultation with the herring industry pursuant to Section 8555, department evaluations of, and research on, herring populations in San Francisco Bay and those evaluations and research that may be required for Tomales Bay, Humboldt Bay, and Crescent City and assisting in enforcement of herring regulations. The evaluations and research shall be for the purpose of (1) determining the annual herring spawning biomass, (2) determining the condition of the herring resource, which may include its habitat, and (3) assisting the commission and the department in the adoption of regulations to ensure a sustainable herring roe fishery. An amount, not to exceed 15 percent of the total funds in the account, may be used for educational purposes regarding herring, herring habitat, and the herring roe fishery.
(b) The funds in the account shall consist of the funds deposited pursuant to Sections 8558.1, 8558.2, and 8558.3, and the funds derived from herring landing fees allocated pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 8052.
(c) The department shall maintain internal accountability necessary to ensure that all restrictions on the expenditure of the funds in the account are met.
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 26, Sec. 32. (SB 92) Effective June 27, 2017.)